Towards a User-Focused Office Building-System Functionality for Post-Earthquake Functional Recovery

Abstract

Globally, building codes tend to focus on life safety without consideration for the continuous use of buildings after a disaster. Post-earthquake functional recovery is an emerging concept in the built environment that aims at incorporating recovery-based objectives into building codes. However, to date, post-earthquake functional recovery is predominantly recognised from engineering perspectives with minimal inclusion of users’ input. To enhance post-earthquake functional recovery for effective risk reduction, this study introduces conceptual frameworks that expand the scope of building functionality through socio-technical systems (STS) thinking. While engineers focus on the technical aspects of buildings, users emphasise additional facets that include social context. The adoption of the STS theory guides the development of building-system functionality frameworks, examining perspectives at both the micro and macro levels. At the micro level, users prioritise essential building services, while on the macro level, externalities that can impact the overarching functionality of a building are taken into consideration. The building-system functionality frameworks have a significant impact on both functionality and functional recovery following a disaster. By prioritising users’ perspectives, the objective of the building-system functionality is to enhance societal engagement in integrating functional recovery criteria into building codes.